Wireless battery charging system for automatic guided vehicles

Abstract

An inductive wireless charging system for a plurality of automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) includes an AGV control system and wireless energy transmitters that are configured to emit electromagnetic power to the AGV. The AGVs can be multi-wheeled controlled robot vehicles which are battery operated and each have a receiver coil on a lower portion. The AGVs can be controlled to move throughout a facility such as a factory. When the AGVs move over the wireless energy transmitters, electromagnetic power is transmitted to the receiver coils which is converted into electrical energy by the AGVs to charge the AGV batteries.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]In robotized manufacturing, systems must be configured with consideration of the physical operations of the technological process, product design and assembling optimizations. Robotized manufacturing can include automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) which are portable robots that can follow markers or wires in the floor, or use vision, magnets, or lasers for navigation. AGVs are most often used in industrial applications to move materials around a manufacturing facility or warehouse. AGV systems can include multiple battery powered AGVs that navigate along pre-defined guided paths. AGVs can navigate in the facility using several guidance technologies including floor-surface mounted magnetic tape or bars, lasers, optical sensors, and magnet / gyroscope based inertial guidance. These guidance technologies make it easy to change the routes of the AGVs and expand the AGV system in response to facility changes for a flexible and scalable material handling solution. Robotized man...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system where autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) can be charged wirelessly while moving around a factory or other location. This is achieved by using wireless energy transmitters placed in designated charging areas, which allow the vehicles to charge their batteries as they travel through the location. The system also analyzes the paths of the vehicles and places the wireless energy transmitters in the most commonly traveled areas, so that the vehicles can charge their batteries without needing to stop. Additionally, the patent suggests using an elongated elevated surface with wireless energy transmitters on top, which can improve energy transmission efficiency by reducing the distance between the transmitter and receiver coils of the vehicles. Overall, this wireless charging system allows for smoother and more efficient charging of AGVs.

Problems solved by technology

Sometimes it is undesirable to unexpectedly brake the pre-defined sequence of operations of the manufacturing process to stop or replace the AGV for charge station docking.

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